System and method for real-time displaying of blocked and locked out status of programs in electronic program guides

Abstract

A method for displaying electronic programming guide (EPG) information is disclosed. The method includes determining whether content to be delivered over a media stream is blocked, and, if so, indicating the blocked status on a grid of the electronic programming guide corresponding to the blocked content. The blocked status may result from a locked-out channel or it may result from a program exceeding a preset maximum allowable rating.

1 . A method for displaying electronic program guide (EPG) information, said method comprising: 
 determining whether content to be delivered over a media stream is blocked; and    in response to said determining, indicating a visual blocked status on a grid of said electronic programming guide corresponding to blocked content.    
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said blocked status results from a locked-out channel.  
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said blocked status results from rating of a program exceeding a preset maximum allowable rating.  
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said grid comprises a listing of scheduled media content wherein a blocked status is indicated by a bar that is dimmed in intensity compared to an intensity of listings of non-blocked scheduled media broadcasts.  
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said grid comprises a listing of said scheduled media content wherein a blocked status is indicated by a font color that is the same as its background color, to render transparent a corresponding listing.  
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said grid comprises a listing of scheduled media content wherein a blocked status is indicated by a background color that is significantly different from the background color used for displaying listings of non-blocked scheduled media content.  
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said grid comprises a listing of scheduled media content wherein a blocked status is indicated by a font color that is significantly different from a font color used for displaying listings of non-blocked scheduled media content.  
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said indicating further comprises generating an audible sound when blocked content is selected by a cursor within a listing of scheduled media content that has a blocked status.  
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said determining is performed by a processor residing in a set-top box.  
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said determining is performed by a processor residing in a display device displaying said grid.  
   
   
       11 . A method of displaying electronic program guide information on a display screen, said method comprising: 
 accessing status information regarding media content scheduled for broadcast;    based on said status information, determining media content that is blocked from display on said display screen; and    displaying electronic program guide information comprising a listing of scheduled media content and wherein said displaying comprises: 
 displaying listings corresponding to said media content that is blocked using a blocked visual format; and  
 displaying listings corresponding to media content that is not blocked using a non-blocked visual format.  
   
   
   
       12 . A method as described in  claim 11  wherein said status information comprises ratings information for said media content scheduled for broadcast and wherein said determining comprises determining said media content that is blocked based on any media content having a rating information that exceeds a prescribed maximum rating.  
   
   
       13 . A method as described in  claim 11  wherein said status information comprises subscription information and wherein said determining comprises determining said media content that is blocked based on any media content that is unsubscribed.  
   
   
       14 . A method as described in  claim 11  wherein said electronic program guide comprises a grid of bar listings and wherein said blocked visual format comprises a font that is different from a font of said non-blocked visual format.  
   
   
       15 . A method as described in  claim 11  wherein said electronic program guide comprises a grid of bar listings and wherein said blocked visual format comprises background bar color that is different from a background bar color of said non-blocked visual format.  
   
   
       16 . A method as described in  claim 11  wherein said electronic program guide comprises a grid of bar listings and wherein said blocked visual format is of less intensity compared to said non-blocked visual format.  
   
   
       17 . An electronic device comprising a processor coupled to a bus and a memory coupled to said bus wherein said memory is programmed to implement a method of displaying electronic program guide information on a display screen, said method comprising: 
 accessing status information regarding media content scheduled for broadcast;    based on said status information, determining media content that is blocked from display on said display screen; and    displaying electronic program guide information comprising a listing of scheduled media content and wherein said displaying comprises: 
 displaying listings corresponding to said media content that is blocked using a blocked visual format; and  
 displaying listings corresponding to media content that is not blocked using a non-blocked visual format.  
   
   
   
       18 . An electronic device as described in  claim 17  wherein said status information comprises ratings information for said media content scheduled for broadcast and wherein said determining comprises determining said media content that is blocked based on any media content having a rating information that exceeds a prescribed maximum rating.  
   
   
       19 . An electronic device as described in  claim 17  wherein said status information comprises subscription information and wherein said determining comprises determining said media content that is blocked based on any media content that is unsubscribed.  
   
   
       20 . An electronic device as described in  claim 17  wherein said electronic program guide comprises a grid of bar listings and wherein said blocked visual format comprises a font that is different from a font of said non-blocked visual format.  
   
   
       21 . An electronic device as described in  claim 17  wherein said electronic program guide comprises a grid of bar listings and wherein said blocked visual format comprises background bar color that is different from a background bar color of said non-blocked visual format.